Comparing contracts, service, and connection speed for two of the best internet providers
Trying to find the right internet provider can be difficult, especially when every company only highlights the good parts of their services. We took a look at two of the top internet providers: AT&T and Spectrum, and pulled together a complete overview for consumers like you. We are here to settle the score on Spectrum vs. AT&T internet. We take a look at all the pros and cons of each company, what features they offer, and peek into their customer service. This way you can decide which company will be the best fit for you or your business. We’ll be frank — the internet industry has a bad reputation when it comes to customer service. Whether it’s incorrect billing, being passed through phone trees, no-show technicians, or faulty connections, dealing with your internet provider can be a nightmare. But when your connection goes out, calling is about your only option. To minimize the pain, we dug into third-party ratings from J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and the American Satisfaction Index (ACSI), to gauge customer experience. When the question of who has the best customer service is AT&T vs. Spectrum internet, AT&T fares better, but Spectrum follows closely behind and is improving. The 2019-2020 Telecommunications report of ACSI shows a 7% year over year increase in customer satisfaction for Spectrum from a score of 59 to 63, while AT&T had a 1% decrease from 69 to 68. The industry average for internet service providers is 65. At the end of the day, both companies have a reputation for being reasonable and helpful when it comes to customer service. Your own experience will depend on your local agents. The speed options you have, with both providers, will vary depending on where you live and what technology exists in your neighborhood. AT&T offers both DSL and fiber-optic internet, but rarely in the same area. While its fiber network is widespread, AT&T fiber is only available in a limited amount of U.S. zip codes. To check and make sure that the fiber network covers your area, take a look at their live coverage map. You’ve got a higher chance of having access to AT&T’s DSL, which features multiple high-speed tiers, depending on your location.
